What Happens If You Miss the Property Tax Protest Deadline in Texas?

If you're a homeowner in Texas and you miss the property tax protest deadline, you may feel like you've lost your only chance to challenge an unfair appraisal. While it's true that missing the deadline does limit your options, it's not always the end of the road. In this article, we’ll explain what happens if you miss the deadline, what (if anything) you can still do, and how to avoid this situation in the future. Ballard Property Tax Protest is here to help.

Understanding the Protest Deadline

The deadline to protest your property taxes in Texas is either May 15 or 30 days after your county appraisal district mails your Notice of Appraised Value—whichever is later. This is a hard deadline, meaning that once it passes, your ability to file a standard protest is gone for that tax year.

Immediate Consequences of Missing the Deadline

• You can’t file a standard protest. The Appraisal Review Board (ARB) will not schedule a hearing unless a valid exception applies.
• Your current appraisal stands. You’ll be taxed based on the value listed in your notice of appraised value.
• You may face a higher tax bill. If your appraisal is incorrect or inflated, you’ll be paying more than you should—without a formal avenue for appeal.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Yes, there are a few limited circumstances under which you may still be able to file a late protest or request a correction:

1. Clerical or Factual Errors

If your appraisal contains a clerical error—like incorrect square footage or the wrong number of bathrooms—you can submit a correction request to your county appraisal district under Section 25.25 of the Texas Tax Code.

2. Substantial Error in Market Value (Over 1/3 Overstated)

If the appraised value is more than one-third higher than market value, you can file a motion to correct under Section 25.25(d), even after the deadline. However, you’ll still have to pay taxes on the undisputed value and may be subject to penalties.

3. Failure to Receive Notice

If you never received your notice of appraised value due to a mailing error or incorrect address, you may be eligible to file a protest after the deadline.

4. Litigation or Binding Arbitration

Property owners who have exhausted administrative protest options—or missed them—may still pursue judicial appeals or binding arbitration, but this is usually costlier and more complex.

What You Should Do If You Missed the Deadline

1. Contact a Property Tax Consultant Immediately Professionals like Ballard Property Tax Protest can help you determine if you qualify for a late appeal or correction.
2. Review Your Appraisal for Errors Look for factual mistakes in your appraisal data, such as incorrect property features or land size.
3. Document Everything If you believe you didn’t receive your appraisal notice or there’s another justifiable reason for missing the deadline, gather all supporting documentation.
4. Prepare for Next Year Mark your calendar early, set reminders, and consider enrolling in a professional service to monitor deadlines for you.

How to Avoid This in the Future

• Sign up for electronic notices from your county appraisal district to reduce the chance of missed mail.
• Use a calendar app to set yearly reminders in March, April, and early May.
• Partner with Ballard Property Tax Protest. We track every deadline and ensure your protest is filed on time—so you don’t have to stress about it.

Final Thoughts

Missing the property tax protest deadline can feel like a setback, but it’s not always a dead end. In some cases, there are still options to correct an unfair appraisal or take action through alternate channels. The key is acting quickly and knowing where to turn.

If you've missed your protest deadline in Texas, contact Ballard Property Tax Protest to explore your options. We’re here to help homeowners stay informed, empowered, and in control of their property taxes—year-round.

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